Letters to the Editor: East Rockaway, Lynbrook

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Taxpayers shouldn’t pay to defend Silver

To the Editor: I was shocked to learn that taxpayer money had been used by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to keep two female staffers of Democratic Assemblyman Vito Lopez from going public with accusations of sexual abuse by Lopez. Silver, as required by legislative law, should have reported Lopez to the legislative Ethics Committee for investigation. He did not. Instead, he paid out hush money and had the women sign confidentiality agreements to keep it all secret to protect a fellow Democrat. Now he’s being sued by two more Lopez staffers because they were abused after Silver failed to take action on the original charges — so now, even more taxpayer money will be spent to help defend Silver. Since he violated the rules and laws of his elected position and the Assembly, why should we, the taxpayers, pay for his defense? The attorney he chose, with the approval of State Controller Thomas DiNapoli, will cost taxpayers $500 an hour. It’s long overdue for term limits, and Sheldon should be the first to go.